Description

Authors have argued that early childhood environments can be either - pleasing or not - attractive or not - give you joy or not. The early childhood environment is the ‘third teacher’. It can bring hope and inspiration to the child and teacher or can leave them with despair.

There is much to think about when it comes to the ways in which early childhood environments are provisioned. Educators make choices regarding what equipment to purchase, which resources to offer children, and how to make spaces beautiful. We believe that every child has the right to beauty. However, what one person deems to be beautiful another person may not, and here is, where the challenge begins.

It is time to clean up our act and provide children with an amazing educational environment, which lifts their spirit. Although, provisioning this space can be challenge for a number of reasons, including: the absence of a vision, a lack of inspiration regarding what the space can look like, or a lack of synergy amongst the team. Let’s also remain aware that the outdoor environment has rights too and needs the same level of attention to detail as the indoor environment.

In this workshop, we will explore:

What is the role of the early childhood environment in facilitating learning

What does beauty look like?

How do we turn the ordinary into the extraordinary?

How do we get the whole team on board for a transformational journey related to the environment?

Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

Identify the impact environments have on teaching and learning

Articulate with colleagues the changes needed in your learning environments

Map out a change plan for both the indoor and outdoor environment

Identify the seven principles of great design

Select equipment and resources that engage the minds of children and assist in learning